Legal Immigrants

So we are officially temporary residents here in Norway! Our Tuesday attempt at getting our permits proved unsuccessful, as the immigration office was closed. So we just hung out in downtown Bergen for a couple hours and saw the sights. Paid $2 to use a public washroom, that 4 other people then used for free since we'd already unlocked the door! We attempted to walk back to our apartment, but were sadly thwarted by a torrential downpour. Weather here is kind of like back home -- it changes every ten minutes or so!

Yesterday we got a decently early start on things. Found our way to the immigration office and took a number, then waited.

And waited.

And waited..

And waited...

Then went for a quick bite to eat at Burger King :)

And waited....

The office was only open until 1pm, and shortly beforehand, we finally got called in.... Only to be told we had taken the wrong number and were supposed to be in another line-up that had already closed! But they thanfully squeezed us into the photobooth and we got our visas in our passports! We were then sent to the Tax Office to get ID #'s (kind of like SIN #'s), and Tax #'s. When we found the right building, with help from a lady and her dog, we took another number and waited. This line moved much faster though. After 20 minutes, we were both assigned our ID #'s, which we'll receive in 3-4 weeks.

Now here's the catch: Without our ID #'s, we can't get a Tax #. We also can't get a Tax # until we find work. Once we know our starting wage, we can apply for a Tax # so they know how much tax to deduct. But the Tax # still won't come until we receive our ID #'s in 3-4 weeks. So in the meantime, we can still work. But we can't get paid without that Tax #. Things take forever to process here in Norway.... at least we're not in a hurry!

So Wednesday was very productive! We also walked from downtown back to Jen & Christian's apartment, which took us a little over an hour. It was the most gorgeous day we've seen yet for weather. Loving Norway so far -- but today we took a sick day. I'm still not over the cold I left Canada with, and Chad's right in the midst of his. Our roomies must be getting tired of the coughing and sniffling, lol. Time for more rest!


We'll keep you posted,
~ Ash & Chad